Download ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY: Directional Terms

ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY: Directional Terms
There is universal agreement in the field of anatomy that the relative description of the
human body is always in a specific position called ________________________. In this
position, the individual is standing upright, face forward, with the upper limbs positioned
at the sides, the palms turned forward, and the feet flat on the floor.
FIGURE A
Directional terms are used by anatomists to locate numerous body structures in relationship to one
another. Label the following directional terms on Figure B, based on their description below. Then,
using the same directional terms, fill in the blanks to describe the body parts relationship to one
another.
1. Superior: _________________________________________________________________________
Example: The head is ________________________ to the shoulders.
2. .Inferior: ___________________________________________________________________________
Example: The intestines are ________________________ to the lungs
3. .Anterior (also known as ventral): _______________________________________________________
Example: The trachea is ________________________ to the esophagus.
4. Posterior (also known as dorsal): _______________________________________________________
Example: The esophagus is ________________________to the trachea.
5. Medial: ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Example: The ulna is ________________________ to the radius.
6. Lateral: ___________________________________________________________________________
Example: The lungs are ________________________ to the heart.
7. Intermediate: ______________________________________________________________________
Example: The index finger is ________________________ to the thumb and middle finger.
8. Proximal: _________________________________________________________________________
Example: The knee is ________________________to the shin.
9. Distal: ____________________________________________________________________________
Example: The elbow is ________________________the shoulder.
10. Superficial: ________________________________________________________________________
Example: The skin is ________________________ to the muscles.
11. Deep: ____________________________________________________________________________
Example: The ribs are ________________________ to the skin.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.
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The heart is ________________ to the lungs.
The thumb is _________________ to the wrist.
The kneecap is _________________to the ankle.
The nose lies on the __________________ surface of the body.
The eyes are located _______________ to the nose.
The ears are situated _______________ to the head.
The upper arm muscle is _______________ to the skin.
The ring finger is located _______________relative to the thumb.
The spine is located _________________.
The esophagus is located _______________to the trachea.
The large intestine is __________________________to the stomach.
The hamstrings are located _______________________to the quadriceps.
The brain is ___________________________to the heart.
The index finger is ____________________to the thumb and middle finger.
The liver is _____________________to the diaphragm
Fingers are located _____________________ to the wrist bones.
The skin on the dorsal surface of your body is said to be located on your______________surface.
The great(big) toe is _____________________ to the little toe.
The skin on your leg is _____________________ to the muscle tissue in your leg.
When you float face down in a pool, you are lying on your _____________________ surface.
The lungs and the heart are located _____________________ to the abdominal organs.
In Anatomy specific terms are used to explain the location of body organs, systems, as well as body
movements.
1. Fill in the missing words to make the passage correct using words from the word bank provided.
reference, side, stand, body, arms, hands, anatomical, forward
All anatomical terms have a __________________ point which is called the
____________________ position. This is a________________________ position where you
________________________up, head straight and ________________________by your
________________________, with the palm of your ________________________facing
________________________.
Complete these sentences using the terms superior and inferior.
2. The hands are ______________________to the feet
3. The knees are ______________________ to the waist.
4. The elbow is ______________________ to the wrist.
5. The calf muscle is ______________________to the ankle.
Complete these sentences using the terms anterior and posterior.
6. The heel is ______________________ to the toes.
7. The biceps are ______________________to the triceps.
8. The hamstring is ______________________to the quadriceps.
Complete these sentences using the terms lateral and medial.
9. The arms are ______________________to the midline.
10. The neck is ______________________to the arms.
11. The shoulders are ______________________to the midline.
Anatomical Terms – Word Match
Match the correct terms with their meanings. Place the correct letter in the empty column
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Superior
Inferior
Anterior
Posterior
Lateral
Medial
Proximal
Distal
Supine
______
Prone
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
closer to the top of the limb
lying face downwards
towards the head, or above
back or at the back of
closer toward the bottom or end of a limb
towards the feet, or below
front, or in front of
lying face upwards
toward the side of the body, or away from the midline
of the body
j. toward the midline of the body
Circle the answer which will make the sentence correct.
13. The big toe is on the lateral/medial side of the body?
14. The shoulder blade is on the anterior/posterior side of the body?
15. The hand is distal/proximal to the elbow?
16. The hips are superior/inferior to the shoulders?
17. The shoulders are medial/lateral to the spine?
18. The knee is distal/proximal to the ankle?
19. What is the importance of having the anatomical position?
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following sets of directional terms are most appropriately referred to as
opposite?
a. Distal and proximal
c. Superior and ventral
b. Medial and inferior
d. Anterior and deep
2. The anatomical term that means "away from the midline of the body" is
a. medial
b. Proximal
3. The ankle is _______ to the knee.
a. deep
b. Peripheral
c. Distal
d. lateral
c. Superior
d. distal
4. The concept of anatomical position stipulates all of the following EXCEPT the
a. forearms are supine
c. arms are held down to the sides
b. feet are slightly apart
d. mouth is closed
Several incomplete statements are listed below. Correctly complete each statement by choosing the
appropriate anatomical term from the key. Record the key letters and/or terms on the correspondingly
numbered blanks below. Some terms are used more than once.
a.
b.
c.
anterior
distal
frontal
d. inferior
e. lateral
f. medial
g. posterior
h. proximal
I. sagittal
j.
k.
superior
transverse
In the anatomical position, the face and palms are on the _1_ body surface; the buttocks and
shoulder blades are on the _2_ body surface; and the top of the head is the most _3_ part of the
body. The ears are _4_and _5_ to the shoulders and _6_ to the nose. The heart is _7_ to the vertebral
column (spine) and _8_ to the lungs. The elbow is _9_ to the fingers but _10_ to the shoulder. The
abdominopelvic cavity is _11_ to the thoracic cavity and_12_ to the spinal cavity. In humans, the
dorsal surface can also be called the _13_ surface; however, in quadruped animals, the dorsal surface
is the _14_surface.
1.
2.
3.
4.
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Fill in the blank completing the analogy.
A. anterior is to ventral as posterior is to___________________
B. superficial is to external as deep is to ___________________
C. cranial is to caudal as superior is to ___________________
D. medial is to lateral as proximal is to ___________________
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________